Hair loss from head and neck radiotherapy

Radiotherapy to the head always causes some hair loss. If you are having treatment to a particular part of your head or neck, your hair only falls out in that area. You might also have some hair loss on the opposite side of the head or neck, where the radiotherapy beams pass through. This is called the exit site.

You might want to cut your hair short before the treatment starts. This may make the change less noticeable and easier to cope with. But speak to your doctor beforehand to check on how much hair you might lose.

When your treatment finishes, your hair usually grows back. But it might not be quite as thick as before and in some people can be patchy. The more radiotherapy you have had, the longer your hair will take to grow back. It may grow back a different colour, or curly when it used to be straight.

Men may have a permanent loss of beard growth depending on the position of the radiotherapy beams and the treatment dose.

Some people prefer to wear a wig until their hair grows back. You can get a wig on the NHS or can buy one privately. Speak to your radiotherapy staff who can advise you on any wigs, hats or scarves they sell in the hospital.

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